“Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azaadi dunga” is a popular slogan which was given by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in 1944 in then Burma (now Myanmar).
Vicky Kaushal is all set to portray yet another inspirational real-life hero on screen! The “patriotic Vicky Kaushal avatar” has altogether emerged as a separate genre in Hindi cinema now. Vicky Kaushal’s upcoming historical biopic, Sam Bahadur, is slated to release on 1st December in cinemas world-wide.
Directed by Meghna Gulzar, this biographical war-drama sheds light on the life and events of Sam Manekshaw, India’s first Indian Army officer who was promoted to the five-star rank of Field Marshal. Sam Manekshaw served the Indian Army for forty glorious years and participated in five wars. He played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s liberation along with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1971. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 for his selfless service to the Indian nation.
Allied to this, do you remember Vicky Kaushal’s film, Sardar Udham, which skipped its theatrical release and digitally premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2021? The story of a man unforgotten, the story of a journey unmatched, the story of a brave revolutionary; Sardar Udham is a poignant and eye-opening historical-biographical drama that moves and stirs all Indian souls.
Sardar Udham was the last film of Vicky Kaushal that managed to leave a lasting impression on the audience. I hope that Sam Bahadur minimises the use of creative liberty and focuses more on factually accurate details, just like Sardar Udham did. The remainder of this article highlights the courageous deeds of the real Sardar Udham Singh and is a eulogy to all bravehearts who serve the Nation.
Udham Singh, born Sher Singh, was an Indian revolutionary from the Punjab, British India. He was born in 1899 in a place called Sunam which is 130 miles south of Lahore, British India. He belonged to the Ghadar Party in Punjab and the HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Association). His tale is the inspiring tale of a revolutionary whose sole mission was to murder the man who had murdered several, General Michael O’Dwyer.
General Michael O’Dwyer was responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre which took place in 1919, of which Udham Singh himself was a survivor. On 13th April 1919, several Rowlatt Act protestors were premeditatedly murdered in cold blood. The people had gathered in large numbers at the Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate the auspicious Sikh festival of Baisakhi and to peacefully protest against the arrests of Satyapal and Kitchlew under the Rowlatt Act. Udham Singh and a few friends were serving water to the crowd.
Colonel Reginald Dyer opened fire on a peaceful and unarmed gathering without issuing a warning, and killed several mercilessly in what appeared a genocide. The mortally wounded and profusely bleeding civilians were rushed to makeshift hospitals. Udham Singh was left devastated and shocked. This triggered him to avenge the death of his fellow countrymen, even after 21 years of waiting.
After the massacre, Udham Singh became deeply involved in revolutionary politics. He was inspired and influenced by Bhagat Singh and his associates. Bhagat Singh had asked him to organise and train Indians outside India to overthrow the British Raj. He did that by joining the Ghadar Party in 1924. In 1927, he returned to India on Bhagat Singh’s orders, bringing home men and ammunition. However, he was soon arrested for possession of unlicensed arms and was sentenced to five years of imprisonment.
The real journey of Udham Singh began in 1931 after being released from prison, when he began the process of planning for the assassination. He first made his way to Kashmir and then managed to flee to Germany, evading the police. He then escaped into the mountains of Afghanistan to acquire ammunition, and reached London in 1934, and spent the remaining decisive years of his life reigniting the revolution in London, under the orders of his idol, Bhagat Singh, who wanted revolution outside India.
On 13th March 1940, O’Dwyer was scheduled to speak at a meeting at Caxton Hall in London. Singh entered the event with a ticket in his wife’s name as he was constantly under surveillance. He concealed a revolver which was purchased by him at a pub, inside a book, which had pages cut very intricately in the shape of the revolver. As the meeting came to an end, Singh aimed at O’Dwyer twice. One of the bullets passed through his body, killing him almost instantly.
Scarred outside, wounded inside, Udham Singh, in 1940, finally assassinated Michael O’Dwyer, Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab, of whose brainchild was the brutal massacre. A few others also suffered injuries. On 1st April 1940, Udham Singh was charged with the murder of O’Dwyer and was imprisoned at Brixton Prison. He was sentenced to death.
His execution took place on 31st July 1940 at Pentonville Prison. “Down with British Imperialism! Down with British dirty dogs!” were a few of his last words before he was hanged to death. His remains are preserved at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Till date, the British Government has not formally apologised for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, expressing only “deep regret” for the same in 2019.
Let us never forget the sacrifices of our unsung heroes who died so that the Nation awakens. Let us not forget to pay homage to their acts of selflessness and patriotism. These revolutionaries may have been killed, but their ideas shall never die. Let us not let them get lost in the annals of History, and let us keep their martyrdom alive in our hearts and minds forever.
To know and learn about Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s story too, do yourselves a favour and watch Sam Bahadur at a cinema near you! Vande Mataram!